Welcome to the wonderful world of Food and Drink
By Ben Walker
Over the year we will endeavour to help you eat and drink your way around Manchester’s finest establishments, with also recipe ideas and advice to cook up a storm at home too. In the past five years or so the craft beer and casual dining movement has gone from a niche interest to a becoming […]
Over the year we will endeavour to help you eat and drink your way around Manchester’s finest establishments, with also recipe ideas and advice to cook up a storm at home too.
In the past five years or so the craft beer and casual dining movement has gone from a niche interest to a becoming the heart and soul of the Manchester food and drink scene, and with two Michel Star Simon Rogan opening The French in March 2013, we are students at a very exciting time in Manchester’s gastronomic evolution. Added to the vibrant Curry Mile, the out laying villages of East and West Didsbury and Chorlton; there is a lot to eat and drink in 2013/14.
The Union Bar, open 11am-midnight 7 days a week (Mancunion)
The first two weeks of any University year, whether it’s your first or even your seventh, it is crazy, hectic, and ultimately fun. Here we have assembled what we think are the best places in the Manchester University bubble for food and drink, keeping around the Oxford Road corridor, whilst we all get into the groove of the new academic year. Also we have come up with a few tips that we thought could be of use to you in these first busy weeks.
There will be a lot of drinking going on, as I’m sure many of you are looking forward to, but remember there is absolutely no pressure for anyone to have to drink either to excess or even at all. Also, we hope that you consider what you’re eating, if you are in catered halls then your diet will be looked after for you, to a great extent. If you are self-catered or living in a house, try strike a balance between wholesome ‘home-cooking’ and quick and convenient meals—but always try and be creative.
Hopefully here we have catered for a broad range of interests and tastes—drinking venues, culinary destinations, and informed advice that will hopefully contribute to a fantastic start to the semester.
More Coverage
The Mancunion’s ultimate Freshers’ pub crawl
From post-lecture treats to big nights out, pubs are social glue at university and a great way to see more of a city. Here’s our student-friendly crawl, featuring ten of the most integral to student life in Manchester
2026 Freshers’ gig guide
If you’re into music, you came to the right city. From jangle pop to Chinese cloud rap, our music editors write about their Freshers’ gig recommendations
Freshers’ guide: eating and drinking in Manchester
From good ramen to twee study spots, here’s our guide to sampling Manchester’s rich and fulfilling food scene
A dive into Manchester’s Freshers Festival
Overwhelmed by choice for Freshers’ fairs. Ella Martino argues that the best is a cross-university one






